asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps he has taken to augment the equipment for fire-fighting in the estuaries and narrow waters; and whether, having regard to the importance and vulnerability of shore works and ships in such zones, he can assure the House that he is satisfied with the steps taken for their protection from fire caused by incendiary or high-explosive bombs?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that local authorities, in preparing their air-raid fire precautions schemes, take due account of the necessity for providing appliances to deal with risks of this nature. It is part of his policy to facilitate arrangements proposed by local authorities in whose districts such risks arise for some of the firefighting appliances supplied by the Government to be stationed on the premises of dock undertakings. As indicated in the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a question by the hon. Member on 16th November last, fire pumps are also supplied to local authorities, where necessary, for installation on suitable craft in connection with their local fire precautions schemes.

Will such a scheme apply to the City of Liverpool where the water front is privately owned?

I will convey that question to my right hon. Friend.